2016 Chicago Cubs Predictions | MLB Betting Season Preview & Odds

Cubs 2016 Season Preview

Ready to check out our 2016 Chicago Cubs predictions? For the first time since 2008 the Chicago Cubs won 97 games and made the postseason. The Cubs will look to make it back for a second year in a row for only the third time in over 100 years.

MLB Dodgers Predictions & Handicapping Insight

The chances look quite good for the Cubs to make back to the postseason as, on paper, the Cubs are the best team in baseball. The Cubs have the reigning NL Cy Young award winner and a budding NL MVP candidate and are just an impressive team overall from top to bottom.

2016 MLB Team Previews – Chicago Cubs

National League Central -125

National League +350

World Series +700

Key Additions:

Jason Heyward

John Lackey

Ben Zobrist

Not only are these significant upgrades, but signing Jason Heyward and John Lackey weakened the St. Louis Cardinals. Lackey strengthens the rotation while Heyward will give the Cubs a boost defensively.

The hope is sticking Heyward in centerfield will make up for some the deficiencies that Schwarber and Soler posses in the outfield.

Key Losses:

IF Starlin Castro

The Cubs didn’t lose much this offseason.

Cubs Predictions: Projected Lineup:

2B Ben Zobrist

CF Jason Heyward

1B Anthony Rizzo

3B Kris Bryant

LF Kyle Schwarber

RF Jorge Soler

C Miguel Montero

SS Addison Russell

From top to bottom this a rock solid lineup. You have quality players at the top in Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward followed up with some power in the middle and the back end featured talented Addison Russell and the veteran Miguel Montero.

Cubs Predictions: Projected Rotation:

RH Jake Arrieta

LH Jon Lester

RH John Lackey

RH Jason Hammel

RH Kyle Hendricks

This is a dangerous rotation come postseason time. There aren’t many teams that can match up with Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and John Lackey. That’s a really strong top three.

Plus, throw in Jason Hammel and Kyle Henricks and you have yourself a nice one to five pitching rotation.

Cubs Predictions: Projected Closer:

RH Hector Rondon

Hector Rondon will be the closer, but this is a bullpen with a lot of depth.

The Cubs have Travis Wood and Trevor Cahill that can and will serve as the longmen in the bullpen and can spot start if need be.

Pedro Strop is another impressive arm that will serve as the set up man along with Ryan Cook, Clayton Richard, and Justin Grimm.

Plus, if Rex Brothers can find his form that he had a couple of years ago, this is a strong bullpen from top to bottom.

2016 Chicago Cubs Prediction:

I can’t help but feel that Chicago Cubs sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last year is foreshadowing of what is to come for the next handful of years.

I believe that the Cubs will basically own the NL Central for the next five years.

The odds of the Cubs winning the NL Central aren’t great value wise, but I feel it is pretty safe.

I don’t see anybody challenging the Cubs as they are the most complete team on paper. This is a team that doesn’t have many holes. So long as they stay healthy and continue to play in that free easy Joe Maddon style, they’ll be just fine.

About Danny Norris

Dan Norris is a back again on the Cappers Picks Blog, he has been a sports writer for a few years now. A very successful bettor, especially in futures betting. Reasons for success – NOT afraid to go against his favorite teams when he feels they will lose. He’s a HUGE fan of betting on boxing, football, and basketball.